Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

1Tim.1:14 The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 1:15 The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1:16 However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.

The law convicted the master of law the apostle Paul of murder. Moreover, Paul knew of his self-righteous hate towards Christian's brothers and sisters in dragging them from their homes and killing them. Hence, Paul uses his own foremost bad example of murderous hate to express the power of Christ Jesus and God's unmerited kindness towards him and all sinners.

Ephesians 3:8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Here for those lacking endurance and patience in longing the destruction of their enemies by stone cold law, Paul reproves! How powerful is righteous justice for the fleshly minded person, it is supreme, but not love, patience, and endurance. The law of Christ and God's forgiveness means enduring in faith the mistreatment of the unrighteous. Whereas, the law written on stone tablets tolerated no such things, it paid back injury for injury.

Matt. 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor,{Leviticus 19:18} and hate your enemy.{not in the Bible, but see Qumran Manual of Discipline Ix, 21-26}' 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,

It is easy to see why, the law of love was dull and insipid to some of these Christian's coming from a powerful rule of law under a mighty kingdom of Israel. It is easy to know why patience and endurance in love seemed weak, that is, forgiving their enemies as Christ had done upon and implement of torture. But nonetheless, there was no other rule of law for Christian's, but the law of Christ which fulfilled the old law. Although, it may have seem inferior to a fleshly minded Christian wanting relief from suffering, it was nevertheless superior in removing our sins and freedom from judgment of wicked, which the law of Moses was created for, and not the righteous.

James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain.
5:8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 5:9 Don't grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won't be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door. 5:10 Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
5:11 Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Paul had been made righteous despite his own unrighteousness by Christ Jesus precious life, given him as to no merit of his own. This lesson is all the more reason for each Christian to walk in love, not owing or holding the debts of sin by laws created for the sinful flesh, so we are released into the wonderful freedom of the Son's of God.

James 2:12 So speak, and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom.

Galatians 5:13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.

1Tim.1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.